Integrated moveable and lockable rail

Abstract

An integrated lockable shelf rail configured to operate in pairs to support an electronic component is provided. The rail includes a front bracket to attach to a first vertical support and having a forward facing first plate, and a track assembly to be coupled to the front bracket. The track assembly includes a forward facing second plate to overlap with and couple to the first plate, a longitudinally extending C-shaped track member, and moveable arm arms slideably nested in the track member. The track assembly also includes a shelf bracket including a support surface to support the electronic component, a first side plate configured to couple to the second arm, and a forward facing third plate to overlap with the second plate. A hole in each of the first, second and third plates which, when the first, second and third plates overlap, collectively define a common hole to receive a fastener.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An integrated lockable shelf rail configured to operate in pairs to support an electronic component, the rail comprising:
 a front bracket configured to attach to a first vertical support and having a forward facing first plate; 
 a track assembly configured to be coupled to the front bracket, the track assembly including:
 a forward support having a forward facing second plate configured to overlap with the first plate; 
 a longitudinally extending inwardly facing C-shaped track member; and 
 first and second telescoping arms slideably nested in the track member; 
 
 a shelf bracket including a horizontal support surface configured to support the electronic component, a first side plate configured to couple to the second arm, a forward facing third plate configured to overlap with the second plate, and an upwardly extending fourth plate; and 
 a hole in each of the first, second and third plates which, when the first, second and third plates overlap, collectively define a common hole; 
 wherein when the rail is in an assembly state and a first fastener is inserted into the common hole through the first, second and third plates, the first fastener secures the shelf bracket; 
 wherein the horizontal support surface extends from the top of the first side plate and supports the electronic component; and 
 wherein the upwardly extending fourth plate is a side rail to prevent a lateral movement of the electronic component. 
 
     
     
       2. The rail of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the support surface extending forward of the third plate, the support surface having a hole configured to receive a second fastener such that the fastener at least partially extends above the support surface; 
 wherein when the second fastener is in the hole of the support surface and an electronic component is mounted on the support surface, the fastener prevents the electronic component from being laterally removed from a front of the shelf bracket. 
 
     
     
       3. The rail of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener is a threaded fastener, and the hole in the first and/or second plates is threaded. 
     
     
       4. The rail of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf bracket has a second side plate extending upwardly from the support surface, the side plate being configured to provide a lateral support to the electronic component. 
     
     
       5. The rail of  claim 1 , wherein the track assembly includes a front support that includes the first plate, and extends reward from the front plate to define a substantially C-shaped cavity that couples to the track member. 
     
     
       6. The rail of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rear bracket configured to attach to a second vertical support and having a rear facing plate; and 
 the track assembly being configured to couple to the rear facing plate of the rear bracket. 
 
     
     
       7. The rail of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a rear support configured to mounted on the rear bracket; 
 an arm connected to the rear support; 
 a longitudinally extending outward facing C-shaped track member connected to the inwardly facing C-shaped track member; and 
 the arm being slideably engaged with the outward facing C-shaped track member; 
 wherein the slideable engagement allows the rear support to move relative to the front support such that the track assembly has an adjustable length. 
 
     
     
       8. The rail of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second plates each include a plurality of holes, one of which is part of the common hole, and at least one other of which overlap and are configured to receive a third fastener to couple the first plate to the second plate. 
     
     
       9. The rail of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal support surface extends past the forward facing third plate to define a ledge. 
     
     
       10. The rail of  claim 9 , wherein the ledge includes a second hole to facilitate a second fastener, and wherein when the first fastener is inserted into the common hole, the second fastener prevents the electronic component from being withdrawn. 
     
     
       11. A server rack, comprising:
 first, second, third and fourth vertical supports defining a rack chamber; 
 an electronic component; 
 a pair of integrated lockable shelf rails supporting the electronic component, each rail comprising: 
 a front bracket attached to a first vertical support and having a forward facing first plate; 
 a track assembly coupled to the front bracket, the track assembly including:
 a forward support having a forward facing second plate overlapping with and coupled to the first plate; 
 a longitudinally extending C-shaped track member; and 
 first and second telescoping arms slideably nested in the track member; 
 
 a shelf bracket including a horizontal support surface supporting the electronic component, a first side plate coupled to the second arm, a forward facing third plate configured to overlap with the second plate, and an upwardly extending fourth plate; and 
 a hole in each of the first, second and third plates overlapping to collectively define a common hole; 
 wherein when a first fastener is inserted into the common hole through the first, second and third plates, the first fastener secures the shelf bracket; 
 wherein the horizontal support surface extends from the top of the first side plate and supports the electronic component; and 
 wherein the upwardly extending fourth plate is a side rail to prevent a lateral movement of the electronic component. 
 
     
     
       12. The server rack of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 the support surface extending forward of the third plate, the support surface having a hole configured to receive a second fastener such that the fastener at least partially extends above the support surface; 
 wherein when the second fastener is in the hole of the support surface and an electronic component is mounted on the support surface, the fastener prevents the electronic component from being laterally removed from a front of the shelf bracket. 
 
     
     
       13. The server rack of  claim 11 , wherein the first fastener is a threaded fastener, and the hole in the first and/or second plates is threaded. 
     
     
       14. The server rack of  claim 11 , wherein the shelf bracket has a second side plate extending upwardly from the support surface, the second side plate being configured to provide a lateral support to the electronic component. 
     
     
       15. The server rack of  claim 11 , wherein the track assembly includes a front support that includes the first plate, and extends reward from the front plate to define a substantially C-shaped cavity that couples to the track member. 
     
     
       16. The server rack of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a rear bracket attached to a second vertical support and having a rear facing plate; and 
 the track assembly coupling to the rear facing plate of the rear bracket. 
 
     
     
       17. The server rack of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second plates each include a plurality of holes, one of which is part of the common hole, and at least one other of which overlap and are configured to receive a third fastener to couple the first plate to the second plate. 
     
     
       18. The rail of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a rear support mounted on the rear bracket; 
 an arm connected to the rear support; 
 a longitudinally extending outward facing C-shaped track member connected to the inwardly facing C-shaped track member; and 
 the arm being slideably engaged with the outward facing C-shaped track member; wherein the slideable engagement allows the rear support to move relative to the front support such that the track assembly has an adjustable length.